Olympia
One of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity, dedicated to the father of the gods Olympian Zeus. Olympia is the birthplace of
the Olympic games, which were first held here in 776 BC to honor Zeus. The Olympic games where ceased in 393 AD after an edict issued by
Theodosius the Great and were revived for the first time, after fifteen centuries in 1896 in the all-marble Stadium of Athens.
The Sanctuary
The sanctuary of Olympia spreads around the green wooded foot of the Kronion hill, where the rivers Alpheios and Cladeos meet.
Olympia has been inhabited since prehistoric times but it only took its final form the 5th c BC with the impressive temple of Zeus
and other impressive ancient buildings like the Heraeum dedicated to Zeus wife Hera, the Stadium, the Hippodrome where ancient horse
races were held, the Palestra (wrestling school) and the Gymnasium where the competitors were obliged to train for at least a month
before the games.
The Archaeological Museum
Contains remarkable exhibits from Olympia, including the statues of Hermes by Praxiteles, of Zeus abducting Ganymede, of Nike and many more.
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